SPAIN: Barcelona

Barcelona was AWESOME!! It had the perfect combination of a metropolitan city, with beautiful old architecture and a beach! The weather was perfect when we were there. We got to see the cathedral (Sagrada Familia) and other buildings that Gaudi (famous Spanish architect) designed. We also saw a lot of art by Picasso, which I loved! Did you know Picasso was born in Barcelona and is Spanish? I sure didn't before this trip.... We also visited Park Guell (a park Gaudi designed). Another highlight of the trip was went we went to a Monk Montessori. It was atop this mountain and we had to take a cable car to reach it. The views were breathtaking. I didn't get how monks built the church hundreds of years ago when there was no easy way to get up that hill. After the group went back to Germany, I stayed a few days after in Barcelona with my dad. We enjoyed another flamenco show and had great spanish food like tapas and sangria! We also visited Monjuic Park, which is home to great sights and where the '92 olympics were held. Overall, Barcelona was breathtaking! I loved it so much!

SPAIN: Toledo

Toledo was a beautiful city. It is one of the oldest cities in Spain. Madrid and Barcelona had very metropolitan parts to them but Toledo had everything that I would imagine Spain to be. The architecture was beautiful and the narrow streets and cobblestone walkways were so pretty. We only stayed here for a day, but that was just enough time to see the sights and get some good shopping in! :)

SPAIN: Madrid

Madrid was beautiful! Our hotel was located in the center of the city and we enjoyed great views from our balcony. In Madrid,we attended a wonderful flamenco dance show, visited many museums, and saw famous sights and landmarks, including the Royal Palace.

IIIttttsssssss SPRING TIME!!

These past few days there have been lines outside of every ice cream parlor, people in short sleeves, people wearing sunglasses, and everyone is eating outside! The weather has been awesome! It's been in the upper 50s lower 60s. I got hot for the first time outside the other day. Instead of taking the bus home, I've been walking and taking my camera with me to get some good pictures of life in Bonn. So excited that spring is finally here. Leaving for Spain tomorrow! WWaaaahhooooo!!! It'll be in the 60s there! I can wear a tank top! :) With Love....

AMSTERDAM

AMSTERDAM was awesome!! We arrived there saturday night from Brussels and spent the whole next day there as well. When we first arrived we checked out some of the local night life. The streets were crazy. So many people were out and about. There was a "coffee shop" on every corner and hundreds of people roaming the Red Light District. The next day we visited the Anne Frank museum, which was the house that she hid in during WWII. It was such an emotional experience. To see where she actually was and to read about what she was feeling was unreal. After the Anne Frank tour we rented bikes and road them out to the countryside to find some windmills. The bike ride was so nice. It was such a beautiful day and biking is Amsterdam is so easy! There are more bicycles than cars! I really enjoyed my time here. The beautiful canals and Dutch houses throughout the city give it so much character. The city is full of such nice people and so full of life! I would definitely visit Amsterdam again! :)